(Edited to remove title and description of story, was thinking about it later last night, with all the people I now know it's possible a few are readers or judges, and as Dr. Phil reminded me, the contest is meant to be anonymous, so posting the title was stupid of me. See, it's been so long since I've done this I've forgotten the basics.)
Submitted to Writers of the Future because 1) I still qualify (dammit), 2) They pay big and reply quickly, 3) Would like to make it past Finalist Stage (3 time finalist, 2 time honorable mention), 4) still anxious by submission process even at this age 5) easing my way back in 6) it's a nice feather in the cap.
I think that's enough reasons.
I've loved this story for 6 years now. Stopped writing and working on short stories to work on novels. The ending, I think, is wonderful. I just hope I nailed the start to get the reader to the end. First story where I think all the characters want something. The antagonist also wins by giving the protag what they want, but not really how they wanted it. Both protag and antagonist are changed at the end. I never explicitly state exactly what is really happening (the subtextual themes), but hope I left enough clues. Maybe I made it too easy? Doesn't matter, the story is about the manipulation and culmination of wishes. Language plays into my wheelhouse of Biblical/Lyrical prose. We have failure, rejection, and eventual victory. So I'm babbling. Did I mention how I subvert several tropes?
And so begins the OCD of checking on its status.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Linkee-poo, you never give me your number, you only give me your funny paper
There was this initial thought that Donnie Trump's campaign was a stealth progressive attack. I'm working on the theory that it's actually a false-flag operation from the GOP so the eventual candidate looks sane and moderate by comparison. That way people will vote for them because, "at least it wasn't THAT dick."
Using Photoshop for 3D printing. In my head I hear James Doohand saying, "When will ye ever learn, use the right tool for the job."
Because everyone was talking about it, Salads… In… Space! (space, space, space) It's like the Food Channel meets NASA TV. "This lettuce could be just the tip of the iceberg." Don't, NPR, just don't.
In other space news, the Universe is dying. Which we will reach the eventual death of the Sun first. But then, it's easy to dismiss because it's so far in the future and then you end up with potholes and crumbling bridges before you know it because you didn't plan well. (Grokked from John)
Suicide isn't a natural cause of death. I've dealt with far too many patients who have tried to commit suicide, and about 5x more who come in with "suicide ideation." Not to mention my personal believe that many overdoses (especially of heroin) are not "accidental". It's a hard subject. I have to ask patients why I'm doing an x-ray on them, it's part of our practice to make sure we aren't just irradiating patients for no good reason. I have you diagnosis on my order requisition. I know why you're in the ER. But I need you to tell me. I might lead you a little, "are you having difficulty breathing?" or "are you having pains in your chest?". No patient, so far, as said "I tried to kill myself and I may have aspirated something." Not one. I've seen parents, spouses, and children crying, angry, confused, and in denial. I've seen medical pros have those same reactions. And in the past year and a half, I've known 4 people who have had to deal with suicides. Big-D is a liar, and a bastard. I fucking hate it. And I hate I have no answers.
Desert aquifers may be holding a lot of our CO2. And while the article is correct, water can hold a lot of CO2, here's something not discussed in the article, (as we said in anatomy and physiology class) carbon is an acid, man. You have to say that last in a stoner's voice. See, CO2 and H2O, when they combine, make H2CO3. Which is carbonic acid. And water can only absorb so much before it won't absorb any more (not just slow down, but no more, that's how buffers work). And nothing is forever, eventually that carbon will be released. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
"For the past nine years, some of America's biggest producers of fresh salad greens and vegetables have been waging a quiet war on wildlife surrounding their field, all in an effort to keep your veggies free of contamination from disease-causing bacteria." So, how did that work out? Apparently, not well at all. I'm sure the original contamination wasn't from people in the processing of the food (or from surfaces in the food processing plants). You know, like where most food contamination comes from.
A strategic (and cynical) use of flags. In this case, creating the myth of the MIA/POW for political expediency. Or how the POW/MIA flag came to be an excuse for bombing the North Vietnamese and Cambodia. Our enemy has always been ravaging, blood-thirsty beasts. That's what makes it easy to kill them.
Just imagine the police response if these Oath Keepers who showed up armed at the Ferguson protests were black. Sure they're there to protect the protesters and property. I wonder which one they would shoot to protect (and just whom would be shot)? Because people with openly carried guns in bullet proof vests always calms the situation down. (Grokked from Maureen Johnson)
And in Ohio, the judiciary is warned to not try and side-step their obligation to marry all couples by either feusing to marry gay couples or simply refusing to marry any couples. "The Ohio Supreme Court’s professional conduct board says it’s unethical for judges to refuse to perform the ceremonies because of their personal, moral or religious beliefs." Well, at least someone remembers their Civics class.
Dear Southerners, you know how you keep on thinking us Yankees think you're all ignorant Bible thumpers? Stop feeding the stereotype. Okay?
"In an apparent case of bad blood between old friends… an Alabama mayor was attacked Saturday allegedly by the baseball bat-wielding former co-host of his TV show over a supposed sex tape… Barton is running for his fifth term overall as Talladega mayor. He was elected mayor in 2011, after being convicted of defrauding the city in 1995 and serving three years in prison." Ah, the moral South. Thank you, friends, and good night.
You'd think with their financial woes and tightening austerity Greece would be anti-migrant. Instead they see people in desperate need fleeing their homes for something better (like a chance to stay alive). Dear Americans, we can (re-)learn from this. Instead we tend to be like this guy.
Using Photoshop for 3D printing. In my head I hear James Doohand saying, "When will ye ever learn, use the right tool for the job."
Because everyone was talking about it, Salads… In… Space! (space, space, space) It's like the Food Channel meets NASA TV. "This lettuce could be just the tip of the iceberg." Don't, NPR, just don't.
In other space news, the Universe is dying. Which we will reach the eventual death of the Sun first. But then, it's easy to dismiss because it's so far in the future and then you end up with potholes and crumbling bridges before you know it because you didn't plan well. (Grokked from John)
Suicide isn't a natural cause of death. I've dealt with far too many patients who have tried to commit suicide, and about 5x more who come in with "suicide ideation." Not to mention my personal believe that many overdoses (especially of heroin) are not "accidental". It's a hard subject. I have to ask patients why I'm doing an x-ray on them, it's part of our practice to make sure we aren't just irradiating patients for no good reason. I have you diagnosis on my order requisition. I know why you're in the ER. But I need you to tell me. I might lead you a little, "are you having difficulty breathing?" or "are you having pains in your chest?". No patient, so far, as said "I tried to kill myself and I may have aspirated something." Not one. I've seen parents, spouses, and children crying, angry, confused, and in denial. I've seen medical pros have those same reactions. And in the past year and a half, I've known 4 people who have had to deal with suicides. Big-D is a liar, and a bastard. I fucking hate it. And I hate I have no answers.
Desert aquifers may be holding a lot of our CO2. And while the article is correct, water can hold a lot of CO2, here's something not discussed in the article, (as we said in anatomy and physiology class) carbon is an acid, man. You have to say that last in a stoner's voice. See, CO2 and H2O, when they combine, make H2CO3. Which is carbonic acid. And water can only absorb so much before it won't absorb any more (not just slow down, but no more, that's how buffers work). And nothing is forever, eventually that carbon will be released. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
"For the past nine years, some of America's biggest producers of fresh salad greens and vegetables have been waging a quiet war on wildlife surrounding their field, all in an effort to keep your veggies free of contamination from disease-causing bacteria." So, how did that work out? Apparently, not well at all. I'm sure the original contamination wasn't from people in the processing of the food (or from surfaces in the food processing plants). You know, like where most food contamination comes from.
A strategic (and cynical) use of flags. In this case, creating the myth of the MIA/POW for political expediency. Or how the POW/MIA flag came to be an excuse for bombing the North Vietnamese and Cambodia. Our enemy has always been ravaging, blood-thirsty beasts. That's what makes it easy to kill them.
Just imagine the police response if these Oath Keepers who showed up armed at the Ferguson protests were black. Sure they're there to protect the protesters and property. I wonder which one they would shoot to protect (and just whom would be shot)? Because people with openly carried guns in bullet proof vests always calms the situation down. (Grokked from Maureen Johnson)
And in Ohio, the judiciary is warned to not try and side-step their obligation to marry all couples by either feusing to marry gay couples or simply refusing to marry any couples. "The Ohio Supreme Court’s professional conduct board says it’s unethical for judges to refuse to perform the ceremonies because of their personal, moral or religious beliefs." Well, at least someone remembers their Civics class.
Dear Southerners, you know how you keep on thinking us Yankees think you're all ignorant Bible thumpers? Stop feeding the stereotype. Okay?
"In an apparent case of bad blood between old friends… an Alabama mayor was attacked Saturday allegedly by the baseball bat-wielding former co-host of his TV show over a supposed sex tape… Barton is running for his fifth term overall as Talladega mayor. He was elected mayor in 2011, after being convicted of defrauding the city in 1995 and serving three years in prison." Ah, the moral South. Thank you, friends, and good night.
You'd think with their financial woes and tightening austerity Greece would be anti-migrant. Instead they see people in desperate need fleeing their homes for something better (like a chance to stay alive). Dear Americans, we can (re-)learn from this. Instead we tend to be like this guy.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Linkee-poo is too tired for a clever title
Had a long weekend. That was my summer. And I ended up being called back to work (at the hospital) to cover a shift, but wasn't told the entire truth about it. So, that was their one. Hopefully we're seeing the end of the 70+ hour weeks (mostly 80+). But, because of some much working, I didn't get much extra time in clinicals, so I'm at about 94 out of 125 needed. Which means classes this fall. Sigh. I had a life once. I miss it. I hope it's been having fun without me.
"Which is to say a writing career is not at all unlike a stock portfolio — diversify for long-term success." John Scalzi talks numbers and marketing with advice.
"Coca-Cola, the world’s largest producer of sugary beverages, is backing a new 'science-based' solution to the obesity crisis: To maintain a healthy weight, get more exercise and worry less about cutting calories." Shocked, shocked I am… I'm sure the rise of high-fructose op drinks and the co-rise of obesity is just a mere coincidence.
Nine points on the Animas River Spill. Well, at least the river ain't burning, you know. One good thing that might come out of this is that people may remember just how jacked-up our environment was (and still is in many ways) and they might remember just why the EPA, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act were all passed in the first place (okay, probably not, but I can still hope). (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
It's called redlining. And while it was made illegal in the late 1960s (many decades after the letter in the article was sent), it was (and still is) being practiced in many cities for many decades on. You might remember a fight a few years ago about the distribution of bank branch offices in various communities. The problem still exists, and has (for any practical matter) gotten worse.
"There's a hidden cost to Walmart's low costs, and we all bear the burden of those hidden costs. ChangeWalmart.org estimates that Walmart costs taxpayers an estimated $1 billion per year subsidizing low wages and benefits." The leaked Walmart anti-union video. "While we can't tell you how to act toward Unions, we'll all be very disappointed if you even talk to one of those people trying to destroy our great company and want to enslave you to the Union Bosses." Or something close to that. Wow. That might not be entirely legal. I also love the talking point about how "Unions are businesses, multi-million dollar business. Who make their money by giving them your money." And you can trust the multi-billion dollar company telling you that the million dollar company doesn't have your best interests at heart.
See, Virginia Wesleyan College doesn't want to shame the woman filing a civil lawsuit for a rape that occurred on campus. Oh no. See, it's about the $10m dollars she's asking for. That's why they want the names of all her "boyfriends and sexual partners since her rape in August 2012." They just want to talk with them. You know, to see if she really was traumatized. I'm sure they won't try to say she actually enjoyed the rape, or any sex afterward. No, they wouldn't do that. John Oliver on sex ed in the US.
You know that saying, "The customer is always right"? Well, as anyone who has worked directly with "customers" know, that's complete bullshit. Say, like this driver taken off a Lowe's home delivery because he's black and the customer requested no blacks. "Lowe's corporate office told the news station that the manager who honored the customer's racist request has been fired because he should have never taken Bradley off the delivery." At least there is that. Now, what the manager should have said was, "I hear what you're saying, ma'am, but we don't discriminate at Lowe's and I can't guarantee that any of our workers who may make a delivery won't be African-American. Would you like us to refund your money?" (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
General Wesley Clark gets stupid. Internment camps? That, sir, isn't speaking truth to power, that is "appealing to a base", the kind of base that Donald Trump is sewing up. (Grokked from Catherine Schaffer)
"A mathematician at Wichita State University who wanted to check the accuracy of some Kansas voting machines after finding odd patterns in election returns said she is finding out how difficult it can be to get government officials to turn over public documents." I'm sure there's nothing to be concerned about. Say, who's the governor of Kansas? (Grokked from BoingBoing)
Hell is empty and all the devils are here. The Shakespearean guide to the 2016 GOP primary. Hahahahaha. Especially Ricky Santorum as Dogberry. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
"The tea party Michigan lawmaker who faked being involved in a gay sex scandal said on Monday he did so to expose people who were blackmailing him and that he had no plans to resign." So, how did that work out? :: Facepalm ::
"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Monday directed Fox News viewers to his campaign website to see where he stands on certain issues, yet his website appears to lack a clear landing page where supporters can read about the presidential candidate's policy stances and proposals." Well, that pretty well states exactly what Scott Walker's positions are. He doesn't have any. But that's okay, most of the GOP candidates don't have position papers, yet (they say). Why? Because they'd lose votes if they outlined their positions. It's easier to give vague platitudes and let people think, "oh, yes, I agree with what they'll do" because they filled in details with their pre-existing stories.
The rise and fall of Trump on Fox. (Grokked from Jim Wright)
For her part, Megyn Kelly believes she's doing the job of a journalist.
Tweet of my heart: @poniewozik Fox News vs Trump is like mad scientists trying to find the off button on the killer robot they built
"Which is to say a writing career is not at all unlike a stock portfolio — diversify for long-term success." John Scalzi talks numbers and marketing with advice.
"Coca-Cola, the world’s largest producer of sugary beverages, is backing a new 'science-based' solution to the obesity crisis: To maintain a healthy weight, get more exercise and worry less about cutting calories." Shocked, shocked I am… I'm sure the rise of high-fructose op drinks and the co-rise of obesity is just a mere coincidence.
Nine points on the Animas River Spill. Well, at least the river ain't burning, you know. One good thing that might come out of this is that people may remember just how jacked-up our environment was (and still is in many ways) and they might remember just why the EPA, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act were all passed in the first place (okay, probably not, but I can still hope). (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
It's called redlining. And while it was made illegal in the late 1960s (many decades after the letter in the article was sent), it was (and still is) being practiced in many cities for many decades on. You might remember a fight a few years ago about the distribution of bank branch offices in various communities. The problem still exists, and has (for any practical matter) gotten worse.
"There's a hidden cost to Walmart's low costs, and we all bear the burden of those hidden costs. ChangeWalmart.org estimates that Walmart costs taxpayers an estimated $1 billion per year subsidizing low wages and benefits." The leaked Walmart anti-union video. "While we can't tell you how to act toward Unions, we'll all be very disappointed if you even talk to one of those people trying to destroy our great company and want to enslave you to the Union Bosses." Or something close to that. Wow. That might not be entirely legal. I also love the talking point about how "Unions are businesses, multi-million dollar business. Who make their money by giving them your money." And you can trust the multi-billion dollar company telling you that the million dollar company doesn't have your best interests at heart.
See, Virginia Wesleyan College doesn't want to shame the woman filing a civil lawsuit for a rape that occurred on campus. Oh no. See, it's about the $10m dollars she's asking for. That's why they want the names of all her "boyfriends and sexual partners since her rape in August 2012." They just want to talk with them. You know, to see if she really was traumatized. I'm sure they won't try to say she actually enjoyed the rape, or any sex afterward. No, they wouldn't do that. John Oliver on sex ed in the US.
You know that saying, "The customer is always right"? Well, as anyone who has worked directly with "customers" know, that's complete bullshit. Say, like this driver taken off a Lowe's home delivery because he's black and the customer requested no blacks. "Lowe's corporate office told the news station that the manager who honored the customer's racist request has been fired because he should have never taken Bradley off the delivery." At least there is that. Now, what the manager should have said was, "I hear what you're saying, ma'am, but we don't discriminate at Lowe's and I can't guarantee that any of our workers who may make a delivery won't be African-American. Would you like us to refund your money?" (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
General Wesley Clark gets stupid. Internment camps? That, sir, isn't speaking truth to power, that is "appealing to a base", the kind of base that Donald Trump is sewing up. (Grokked from Catherine Schaffer)
"A mathematician at Wichita State University who wanted to check the accuracy of some Kansas voting machines after finding odd patterns in election returns said she is finding out how difficult it can be to get government officials to turn over public documents." I'm sure there's nothing to be concerned about. Say, who's the governor of Kansas? (Grokked from BoingBoing)
Hell is empty and all the devils are here. The Shakespearean guide to the 2016 GOP primary. Hahahahaha. Especially Ricky Santorum as Dogberry. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
"The tea party Michigan lawmaker who faked being involved in a gay sex scandal said on Monday he did so to expose people who were blackmailing him and that he had no plans to resign." So, how did that work out? :: Facepalm ::
"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Monday directed Fox News viewers to his campaign website to see where he stands on certain issues, yet his website appears to lack a clear landing page where supporters can read about the presidential candidate's policy stances and proposals." Well, that pretty well states exactly what Scott Walker's positions are. He doesn't have any. But that's okay, most of the GOP candidates don't have position papers, yet (they say). Why? Because they'd lose votes if they outlined their positions. It's easier to give vague platitudes and let people think, "oh, yes, I agree with what they'll do" because they filled in details with their pre-existing stories.
The rise and fall of Trump on Fox. (Grokked from Jim Wright)
For her part, Megyn Kelly believes she's doing the job of a journalist.
Tweet of my heart: @poniewozik Fox News vs Trump is like mad scientists trying to find the off button on the killer robot they built
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Linkee-poo clearing baffles
Can't remember if I shared this. Remember that technology to get more life out of your batteries, the Batteriser? Here's it's Indiegogo page.
Chuck Wendig with 100 random storytelling thought and tips.
John Scalzi on Lifehacker answering some questions. Like you do. (Grokked from Christine Daigle)
The British Library has also released a lot of images into the public domain. All, all those Mens life covers. Because nature will always attack you.
As the nation's population gets older, long term elder care is becoming even more important. That's why the quality of nursing care homes is going to be very important. Too bad that after cleaning them up in the 90s, we're now back to shoddy, profit over people, barely staffed, negligent fuck-holes. But, you know, I'm sure the market will sort it all out instead of having government regulation. On the positive, the majority of our elected officials are of an age where this will be an important issue to them (either for themselves or their spouses, or for their parents). And let me say that while some patients do inflict pressure ulcers on themselves (mostly because they've lost sensation in those parts), pressure ulcers are the hallmark of neglect. There is no reason why in a well run nursing home any patient would have them except for them being ignored. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
Oh thank God the GOP has something else to fire-up the masses now that people realize they actually like Obamacare. It's almost like it was made for it.
Satanic killings (scares) are back. "The blue moon, a rare second full moon in a single month, occurred on Friday, July 31, three days after the killings. The sheriff did not explain the discrepancy, and it was not addressed in a news release issued Wednesday morning." But we know it's tied to it. 'Cause reasons.
Boom! Drops mike. Walks off stage. A dentist's office sign, well played, sir. Well played. (Grokked from John Scalzi)
Tweet of my heart: @lizzwinstead "I wanna make America great again" is the new "We're gonna take this country back."
Chuck Wendig with 100 random storytelling thought and tips.
John Scalzi on Lifehacker answering some questions. Like you do. (Grokked from Christine Daigle)
The British Library has also released a lot of images into the public domain. All, all those Mens life covers. Because nature will always attack you.
As the nation's population gets older, long term elder care is becoming even more important. That's why the quality of nursing care homes is going to be very important. Too bad that after cleaning them up in the 90s, we're now back to shoddy, profit over people, barely staffed, negligent fuck-holes. But, you know, I'm sure the market will sort it all out instead of having government regulation. On the positive, the majority of our elected officials are of an age where this will be an important issue to them (either for themselves or their spouses, or for their parents). And let me say that while some patients do inflict pressure ulcers on themselves (mostly because they've lost sensation in those parts), pressure ulcers are the hallmark of neglect. There is no reason why in a well run nursing home any patient would have them except for them being ignored. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
Oh thank God the GOP has something else to fire-up the masses now that people realize they actually like Obamacare. It's almost like it was made for it.
Satanic killings (scares) are back. "The blue moon, a rare second full moon in a single month, occurred on Friday, July 31, three days after the killings. The sheriff did not explain the discrepancy, and it was not addressed in a news release issued Wednesday morning." But we know it's tied to it. 'Cause reasons.
Boom! Drops mike. Walks off stage. A dentist's office sign, well played, sir. Well played. (Grokked from John Scalzi)
Tweet of my heart: @lizzwinstead "I wanna make America great again" is the new "We're gonna take this country back."
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Linkee-poo just wants some shelter
I continued following that link from Justine Larbalestier with William S. Burroughs lecture and damn there's a lot of interesting stuff there.
Homme de Plume: What I learned sending my novel out under a male name. You'll never guess what happened next (click-bait attempt). (Grokked from CC Findlay)
Which makes me wonder, since my real name is Stephen, if people aren't reading it as "Stephanie". Wouldn't be the first time. Stop it Buchheit, this is like "woe is me", your novel and query letter just weren't good enough, get back to writing the next 3 or 4. (This rant brought to you by my own sick mind, I thought about just deleting it, but then figured it might be instructional; guys, while you might think these kinds of thoughts, keep 'em to yourself)
"What Shall I Be: The Exciting Game Of Career Girls". A roundup of really creepy girl's games (all of which were produced in my lifetime). 'Cause I felt you were feeling a little too positive about our societal progression lately. But then, I also remember a time where sexual predation in the workplace wasn't frowned upon (in general) and someone always had a bottle, porn, or both in their desk.
Even when you go to the moon, there are forms to fill out. In triplicate. Because. (Grokked from Dan)
What is it like to land on a comet? Okay, how about this animated gif from Philea. That'll do. (Grokked from Dan)
Random Michelle K points out that waterless towns in California isn't a new thing. In West (by God) Virginia, many towns are left in wrecks when the coal runs out. The mining companies leave the small towns with water systems that are too expensive for them to maintain and operate without the company. "'Those people would get out in the middle of the night older people you know 70 and 80 years old in the middle of the night they’re out digging up a water lines trying to fix a leak. It’s not supposed to be that way in America.'" So taps run dry, and often the residents have to resort to cisterns.
KFCs are installing "bone-phone" tables in their restaurants. Because having your customers with their elbows on the table and hands over their ears is exactly what you want in a restaurant. (Grokked from Dan)
If only this video of an actual illegal act got half as much promotion as the Planned Parenthood video we might actually have a better country. Instead, we're just going to punch down and put 8-year olds in restraints. Because we're Americans.
So, how are things going with that whole "we're gonna watch you, Jade Helm 15" thing going? Oh. Well, certainly no one ever saw that one coming. Now I'm wondering what the Venn Diagram of the large group of patriotic Amerukins who are all upset and willing to stand outside of recruitment centers to protect them soldiers, sailors and marines from people shooting at them, and the large group of patriotic Amerukins who think the idiots who fired on our troops during Jade Helm are "protecting us from tyranny"? (Grokked from Dan)
Again.
"North Carolina is not one of the states where the U.S. military training exercise dubbed 'Jade Helm 15' is taking place this summer. Nevertheless, three men from Gaston County were charged with conspiring to arm themselves with illegal explosive devices to combat what they saw as a potential military takeover…"
The whackaloon quotient is sky rocking fast this early in the election.
Woodward County, OK, where people believe in the Bible, and not some fancy out-of-towners. They most certainly don't believe in climate change. Here's the thing about science, it doesn't take your belief to be true. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
"With a mix of aggression, boffo self-assertion and nonsense, Trump has managed to boil modern Republicanism down to a hard precipitate form, shorn of the final vestiges of interest in actual governing." Josh Marshall on "teh crazy". (Grokked from Dan)
And so, the time honored GOP practice of dog-whistle/"Oh, I 'misspoke'" (but not really) begins anew. Okay, Jeb, so just what other organizations help low-income women with their health other than Planned Parenthood? I'm waiting for the list. (twiddles thumbs) And since we're counting one person in one video over lunch, not making policy or referencing it, saying something that they never do and not actually being empowered to speak for the organization, you'll accept that they might have misspoke as well, yes? Or we can reference Trump's positions to yours, correct?
Homme de Plume: What I learned sending my novel out under a male name. You'll never guess what happened next (click-bait attempt). (Grokked from CC Findlay)
Which makes me wonder, since my real name is Stephen, if people aren't reading it as "Stephanie". Wouldn't be the first time. Stop it Buchheit, this is like "woe is me", your novel and query letter just weren't good enough, get back to writing the next 3 or 4. (This rant brought to you by my own sick mind, I thought about just deleting it, but then figured it might be instructional; guys, while you might think these kinds of thoughts, keep 'em to yourself)
"What Shall I Be: The Exciting Game Of Career Girls". A roundup of really creepy girl's games (all of which were produced in my lifetime). 'Cause I felt you were feeling a little too positive about our societal progression lately. But then, I also remember a time where sexual predation in the workplace wasn't frowned upon (in general) and someone always had a bottle, porn, or both in their desk.
Even when you go to the moon, there are forms to fill out. In triplicate. Because. (Grokked from Dan)
What is it like to land on a comet? Okay, how about this animated gif from Philea. That'll do. (Grokked from Dan)
Random Michelle K points out that waterless towns in California isn't a new thing. In West (by God) Virginia, many towns are left in wrecks when the coal runs out. The mining companies leave the small towns with water systems that are too expensive for them to maintain and operate without the company. "'Those people would get out in the middle of the night older people you know 70 and 80 years old in the middle of the night they’re out digging up a water lines trying to fix a leak. It’s not supposed to be that way in America.'" So taps run dry, and often the residents have to resort to cisterns.
KFCs are installing "bone-phone" tables in their restaurants. Because having your customers with their elbows on the table and hands over their ears is exactly what you want in a restaurant. (Grokked from Dan)
If only this video of an actual illegal act got half as much promotion as the Planned Parenthood video we might actually have a better country. Instead, we're just going to punch down and put 8-year olds in restraints. Because we're Americans.
So, how are things going with that whole "we're gonna watch you, Jade Helm 15" thing going? Oh. Well, certainly no one ever saw that one coming. Now I'm wondering what the Venn Diagram of the large group of patriotic Amerukins who are all upset and willing to stand outside of recruitment centers to protect them soldiers, sailors and marines from people shooting at them, and the large group of patriotic Amerukins who think the idiots who fired on our troops during Jade Helm are "protecting us from tyranny"? (Grokked from Dan)
Again.
"North Carolina is not one of the states where the U.S. military training exercise dubbed 'Jade Helm 15' is taking place this summer. Nevertheless, three men from Gaston County were charged with conspiring to arm themselves with illegal explosive devices to combat what they saw as a potential military takeover…"
The whackaloon quotient is sky rocking fast this early in the election.
Woodward County, OK, where people believe in the Bible, and not some fancy out-of-towners. They most certainly don't believe in climate change. Here's the thing about science, it doesn't take your belief to be true. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
"With a mix of aggression, boffo self-assertion and nonsense, Trump has managed to boil modern Republicanism down to a hard precipitate form, shorn of the final vestiges of interest in actual governing." Josh Marshall on "teh crazy". (Grokked from Dan)
And so, the time honored GOP practice of dog-whistle/"Oh, I 'misspoke'" (but not really) begins anew. Okay, Jeb, so just what other organizations help low-income women with their health other than Planned Parenthood? I'm waiting for the list. (twiddles thumbs) And since we're counting one person in one video over lunch, not making policy or referencing it, saying something that they never do and not actually being empowered to speak for the organization, you'll accept that they might have misspoke as well, yes? Or we can reference Trump's positions to yours, correct?
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Linkee-poo if you try, you'll find me where the sky meets the sea
Well, that light at the end of the tunnel was and oncoming dragon.
William S. Burroughs class on writing sources, July, 1976. Not the best recording (some feedback and background noises, but still. (Grokked from Justine Larbalestier)
Penn and Teller on their 40 year partnership, showmanship, and incidentally story telling. You may have heard me go on about how if you want to learn dialog, study comedians. And while the best comedians tell stories (and I'm not talking about the gags), magicians who act is story telling.
And this is why I love NASA, because they do great science, and they going to fly Nichelle Nichols on one of the stratospheric telescope flights. (Grokked from Walter Hunt)
What happens when the police demand the law be enforced? In this case, for cyclists to obey the full letter of the law. The answer is chaos.
Jim Wright on Donald Trump and the outrage of the GOP.
Isn't this a Fawlty Towers gag? London pub owner gets into scuffle with a Rich American, believing him to be homeless, which ends up with the American dead after being pushed into traffic. Not that either is an excuse for the behavior.
The stories we tell ourselves. "Charles Koch told attendees of his California summit this weeked that he and his brother's conservative activism is akin to the anti-slavery and civil rights movements…" Um, yea, Chuck, sure. They're like a very well funded Civil Rights movement that has exception political connections, clout, organizations, lobbyists, super PACs, advertising strategies, they're the hand that grasps the microphone and they own the presses, and did I mention more money than God? So very much like the Civil Rights leaders.
I'm sure church bombings weren't actually domestic terrorism… Also wondering when those who claim Christianity is under attack will actually start talking about these events and the church burnings.
Oh
William S. Burroughs class on writing sources, July, 1976. Not the best recording (some feedback and background noises, but still. (Grokked from Justine Larbalestier)
Penn and Teller on their 40 year partnership, showmanship, and incidentally story telling. You may have heard me go on about how if you want to learn dialog, study comedians. And while the best comedians tell stories (and I'm not talking about the gags), magicians who act is story telling.
And this is why I love NASA, because they do great science, and they going to fly Nichelle Nichols on one of the stratospheric telescope flights. (Grokked from Walter Hunt)
What happens when the police demand the law be enforced? In this case, for cyclists to obey the full letter of the law. The answer is chaos.
Jim Wright on Donald Trump and the outrage of the GOP.
Isn't this a Fawlty Towers gag? London pub owner gets into scuffle with a Rich American, believing him to be homeless, which ends up with the American dead after being pushed into traffic. Not that either is an excuse for the behavior.
The stories we tell ourselves. "Charles Koch told attendees of his California summit this weeked that he and his brother's conservative activism is akin to the anti-slavery and civil rights movements…" Um, yea, Chuck, sure. They're like a very well funded Civil Rights movement that has exception political connections, clout, organizations, lobbyists, super PACs, advertising strategies, they're the hand that grasps the microphone and they own the presses, and did I mention more money than God? So very much like the Civil Rights leaders.
I'm sure church bombings weren't actually domestic terrorism… Also wondering when those who claim Christianity is under attack will actually start talking about these events and the church burnings.
Oh
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Linkee-poo works the late shift so you don't have to
Advertising companies are deliberately slowing web page load times to game the advertising auction prices. (Grokked from Dan)
So, how is it going at that company that raised (in the process of raising) wages to a base of $70,000? A little rocky, actually. But that's actually normal for a company that changes some of the core business practices.
Tulare County, where the residents don't have running water. In case you've been thrilled that most of the water districts in California met their 25% reduction goals. (Grokked from Paolo Bacigalupi)
In case you didn't know, scientists armed with quick and affordable DNA sequencing equipment have been taking random samples of environments (like a forest, lake, ocean plot, etc) and teasing out all the DNA they can to see if it matches to known populations. And interesting things have been found, like an expanded range for cougars, migrating bob-cats, and the largest known organism (a fungal growth/mushroom in Michigan IIRC). So, what happens when you sample an urban setting, like a subway? Lots of bacterial we know, and the surprising result of less than 1% human DNA and over half of the DNA samples are unknowns. Catacombs indeed. (Grokked from Stewart Sternberg)
The Jamestown elite. Now unburied.
"Phil Gramm, a former three-term Republican senator… who once ran the Senate Banking Committee, told the House Financial Services Committee yesterday that 'it was an outrage' that his friend Edward Whitacre, the CEO of AT&T, only got '$75 million' when he retired in 2007… 'If there’s ever been an exploited worker' it was Whitacre… Gramm appeared genuinely aggrieved by Whitacre’s shabby treatment and literally pounded the table while speaking… Whitacre actually received a retirement package totaling $158 million." Or, why we can't have nice things. This, friends, is our elected government. (Grokked from CC Findlay)
How war breaks out over drone use in the US. I wonder when either of the lawyers and/or the police remember that the FAA is still highly restricting drone use in the US. (Grokked from Dan)
Nope, Ted, the Mittster didn't get clobbered because he didn't "speak the truth". He got clobber because he got caught speaking his truth, the story the GOP tells itself, the 47% lie.
The tv watches you watching the tv. (Grokked from Dan)
So, how is it going at that company that raised (in the process of raising) wages to a base of $70,000? A little rocky, actually. But that's actually normal for a company that changes some of the core business practices.
Tulare County, where the residents don't have running water. In case you've been thrilled that most of the water districts in California met their 25% reduction goals. (Grokked from Paolo Bacigalupi)
In case you didn't know, scientists armed with quick and affordable DNA sequencing equipment have been taking random samples of environments (like a forest, lake, ocean plot, etc) and teasing out all the DNA they can to see if it matches to known populations. And interesting things have been found, like an expanded range for cougars, migrating bob-cats, and the largest known organism (a fungal growth/mushroom in Michigan IIRC). So, what happens when you sample an urban setting, like a subway? Lots of bacterial we know, and the surprising result of less than 1% human DNA and over half of the DNA samples are unknowns. Catacombs indeed. (Grokked from Stewart Sternberg)
The Jamestown elite. Now unburied.
"Phil Gramm, a former three-term Republican senator… who once ran the Senate Banking Committee, told the House Financial Services Committee yesterday that 'it was an outrage' that his friend Edward Whitacre, the CEO of AT&T, only got '$75 million' when he retired in 2007… 'If there’s ever been an exploited worker' it was Whitacre… Gramm appeared genuinely aggrieved by Whitacre’s shabby treatment and literally pounded the table while speaking… Whitacre actually received a retirement package totaling $158 million." Or, why we can't have nice things. This, friends, is our elected government. (Grokked from CC Findlay)
How war breaks out over drone use in the US. I wonder when either of the lawyers and/or the police remember that the FAA is still highly restricting drone use in the US. (Grokked from Dan)
Nope, Ted, the Mittster didn't get clobbered because he didn't "speak the truth". He got clobber because he got caught speaking his truth, the story the GOP tells itself, the 47% lie.
The tv watches you watching the tv. (Grokked from Dan)
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Linkee-poo has had enough of silly love songs
Some numbers from writing, first four months of freelancing. Don't quit the day job. (Grokked from someone, sorry)
A 20d that lights up when you roll a natural 20. 'Cause you know you want one. (Grokked from Dan)
Using light to generate sound to image the brain. Okay, that's interesting.
3D XPoint memory coming soon. Okay, most of the graphics on the page are examples of how worthless Powerpoint is, but still this is Good News, People™. (Grokked from John)
About the copyright on the "Birthday Song"… (Grokked from Dan)
"Monthly premiums for California's 1.3 million Covered California customers will rise a modest 4 percent, on average, officials with the agency said Monday. This increase is slightly less than last year's increase of 4.2 percent for consumers who bought policies on the state's health insurance marketplace." I'm sure there's something to blame for that. Oh, I know, people with power actually watching what's going on. But in other news, apparently coordinated care for Medicare ends up with people actually using the healthcare system. Strange that.
"People still aren’t getting the message that taking selfies with wild animals can be a very bad idea." Man takes selfie with rattlesnake, gets bitten. And then gets a $153,000 hospital bill. So he was bitten twice. (Grokked from John)
Alaska is on fire. Just what fire is doing to Alaska, with information on what the ground of Alaska is composed of (hint, it's full of carbon).
A chart of news sources and how well they're trusted broken down by generations. Okay, that's interesting. (Grokked from John)
Donald Trump's lawyers (you know, the guys who found out the truth about President Obama) are a piece of work. Triggery for both rape, ignorance, and being an ass in public.
"A panel discussion on CNN got heated Sunday when former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) argued that 'Black Lives Matter' is a poor message because it makes white people feel less valued." And here I thought Ken had disappeared. Go home, Ken. You're drunk. "Young black people are 4.5 times more likely to be killed by police… and while black Americans comprise just 13 percent of the U.S. population, they make up 26 percent of those shot by police." (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
Building molecular transistors with individual atoms acting as gates. Wow. Living in the future. Of course, it'll take 20 years until it's commercially available, so don't get your hopes up. (Grokked from Dan)
Quote of the day: You may have 2 ears and 1 mouth, but you need 6 cranial nerves to speak and only 1 to hear. Evolution calls bullshit on your aphorism.
A 20d that lights up when you roll a natural 20. 'Cause you know you want one. (Grokked from Dan)
Using light to generate sound to image the brain. Okay, that's interesting.
3D XPoint memory coming soon. Okay, most of the graphics on the page are examples of how worthless Powerpoint is, but still this is Good News, People™. (Grokked from John)
About the copyright on the "Birthday Song"… (Grokked from Dan)
"Monthly premiums for California's 1.3 million Covered California customers will rise a modest 4 percent, on average, officials with the agency said Monday. This increase is slightly less than last year's increase of 4.2 percent for consumers who bought policies on the state's health insurance marketplace." I'm sure there's something to blame for that. Oh, I know, people with power actually watching what's going on. But in other news, apparently coordinated care for Medicare ends up with people actually using the healthcare system. Strange that.
"People still aren’t getting the message that taking selfies with wild animals can be a very bad idea." Man takes selfie with rattlesnake, gets bitten. And then gets a $153,000 hospital bill. So he was bitten twice. (Grokked from John)
Alaska is on fire. Just what fire is doing to Alaska, with information on what the ground of Alaska is composed of (hint, it's full of carbon).
A chart of news sources and how well they're trusted broken down by generations. Okay, that's interesting. (Grokked from John)
Donald Trump's lawyers (you know, the guys who found out the truth about President Obama) are a piece of work. Triggery for both rape, ignorance, and being an ass in public.
"A panel discussion on CNN got heated Sunday when former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) argued that 'Black Lives Matter' is a poor message because it makes white people feel less valued." And here I thought Ken had disappeared. Go home, Ken. You're drunk. "Young black people are 4.5 times more likely to be killed by police… and while black Americans comprise just 13 percent of the U.S. population, they make up 26 percent of those shot by police." (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)
Building molecular transistors with individual atoms acting as gates. Wow. Living in the future. Of course, it'll take 20 years until it's commercially available, so don't get your hopes up. (Grokked from Dan)
Quote of the day: You may have 2 ears and 1 mouth, but you need 6 cranial nerves to speak and only 1 to hear. Evolution calls bullshit on your aphorism.
Driven
While doing artwork, whenever I'm under a lot of stress I tend to crank the music. And my selections also go toward the harder side of music. To give you a sample of what the last two months have been like, this song has been in heavy rotation.
Happy birthday, Geddy Lee. Thanks for the music.
Driven to the margin of errorYea, that pretty well describes it. So much for a summer.
Driven to the edge of control
Driven to the margin of terror
Driven to the edge of a deep, dark hole
Happy birthday, Geddy Lee. Thanks for the music.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Linkee-poo saddles up my horse and rides into the city
I would say we're on the downhill run for the next two weeks, but I know better. The big project has pushed back many small projects will are now "emergencies" to finish. While managers are all happy about finishing the big project, the workers know that the hard times are just beginning when the big project it finished. The consultants get to leave and collect their billing. That and with not being able to spend extra time at clinical, I'll be there over this fall.
God checker. For your world building and research needs. (Grokked from Neil Gaiman)
Think we've socially advanced? I've got a Glamour article you've got to read then. Then tell me how far we've come. (Grokked from John Scalzi)
Your computer security is lacking. A survey between the everyday users and security experts.
"'We can tailor these recipes to the photosynthesis response of the plant,' says van der Feltz. 'By being able to tweak the spectrum—the color the plants see—and put the lights exactly where they need it, we can dramatically increase yields and improve fruit density and quality.'" This isn't exactly new, they've been doing this with fluorescents for years now. But now it's LEDs, and it's vertical (urban) farming (which will be a thing of the future, because we'll have to). "'If we can eliminate the risk of disease and climate for the grower, then we can also create different varieties that are optimized for taste, or nutritional value, or perhaps speed of growth.'" My money is on optimizing the speed of growth (because that's what we've been doing for centuries… know how long it takes to go from egg to chicken mcnuggets?). Oh, and we'll never eliminate the risk of disease. That's just marketing bs. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
"Despite its well-known toxic side effects, many end-stage patients and their doctors have considered chemotherapy worth trying, believing it may ease discomfort or buy time… Now, a study suggests that even those stronger patients may not benefit from end-of-life chemotherapy — and that for many, their quality of life may worsen in their final weeks compared with patients who forgo last-ditch treatment." Fuck cancer.
"Two low-profile Texas brothers have donated $15 million to support Sen. Ted Cruz, a record-setting contribution that amounts to the largest known donation so far in the 2016 presidential campaign." Good thing Judge Scalia told us that money won't corrupt the politician or the electoral process, or this would be a thing to worry about. Note, if you read the article, that means four/five people (if you consider the brothers one entity) have funded $37M of Sen. Cruz's superPAC's $38M raised. (Grokked from John Scalzi)
Remember those people who took it upon themselves to stand armed guard outside recruitment centers? "The Defense Department, reacting to armed citizens appearing in front of military recruiting offices…, has asked that 'individuals not stand guard' on federal property." The real soldiers, sailors and marines want the wannabes and posers to go home.
God checker. For your world building and research needs. (Grokked from Neil Gaiman)
Think we've socially advanced? I've got a Glamour article you've got to read then. Then tell me how far we've come. (Grokked from John Scalzi)
Your computer security is lacking. A survey between the everyday users and security experts.
"'We can tailor these recipes to the photosynthesis response of the plant,' says van der Feltz. 'By being able to tweak the spectrum—the color the plants see—and put the lights exactly where they need it, we can dramatically increase yields and improve fruit density and quality.'" This isn't exactly new, they've been doing this with fluorescents for years now. But now it's LEDs, and it's vertical (urban) farming (which will be a thing of the future, because we'll have to). "'If we can eliminate the risk of disease and climate for the grower, then we can also create different varieties that are optimized for taste, or nutritional value, or perhaps speed of growth.'" My money is on optimizing the speed of growth (because that's what we've been doing for centuries… know how long it takes to go from egg to chicken mcnuggets?). Oh, and we'll never eliminate the risk of disease. That's just marketing bs. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
"Despite its well-known toxic side effects, many end-stage patients and their doctors have considered chemotherapy worth trying, believing it may ease discomfort or buy time… Now, a study suggests that even those stronger patients may not benefit from end-of-life chemotherapy — and that for many, their quality of life may worsen in their final weeks compared with patients who forgo last-ditch treatment." Fuck cancer.
"Two low-profile Texas brothers have donated $15 million to support Sen. Ted Cruz, a record-setting contribution that amounts to the largest known donation so far in the 2016 presidential campaign." Good thing Judge Scalia told us that money won't corrupt the politician or the electoral process, or this would be a thing to worry about. Note, if you read the article, that means four/five people (if you consider the brothers one entity) have funded $37M of Sen. Cruz's superPAC's $38M raised. (Grokked from John Scalzi)
Remember those people who took it upon themselves to stand armed guard outside recruitment centers? "The Defense Department, reacting to armed citizens appearing in front of military recruiting offices…, has asked that 'individuals not stand guard' on federal property." The real soldiers, sailors and marines want the wannabes and posers to go home.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Linkee-poo left my body lying somewhere in the sands of time
Universal Studios mistakenly asks Google for a takedown notice of their own computer. Or at least the computer of the person who wrote the DMCA takedown notice.
Maybe we weren't responsible for megafauna extinctions. But, maybe we were indirectly responsible. It's a little bit of "looking of The reason." It's sort of like the extinction of the dinosaurs. They were already dying out (reduced diversity and reduced numbers) as we approached the time when the asteroid hit. It doesn't mean the asteroid didn't slam the lid shut on their coffin (which it didn't really do after all, notice all the avians around us). (Grokked from Neil Gaiman)
Oh look, the bees are back. Note they're talking the number of colonies, and not the number of actual bees. (Grokked from Dan)
For your bemusement, warning keep tin-foil hat firmly on before clicking. Just one week after our breaking news article possibly tying in the 9-11 supertramp cover image with Biblical prophecies from Revelation 17-18 and Jeremiah 50-51. We have found even more “coincidences” which bring this subject matter to the realm of padded room material!" (Grokked from John)
"Simply signing a document isn't enough, however. There's no substitute for regular communication with friends and family about end-of-life preferences." That.
"Senate GOP leadership is moving toward a vote on a bill that would cease federal funding to Planned Parenthood due to concerns about the reproductive health provider raised by heavily-edited videos recently posted online by an anti-abortion group." It's almost like that was the plan.
Why, they were right. When they outlaw guns only outlaws will have guns. Supposedly law abiding citizens decide not to follow the laws.
Donald Trump may be using illegal immigrants as laborers to build his grave site. Most people are keying in on the "illegal immigrant" part. For me its, "He's building a gravesite on his golf course? Who died and made him Pharaoh?"
And now, at about a 15 months out from the next presidential election (don't let them fool you, there's an election this November as well), where do the parties stand in the popular mind? Well, the Pew Center has a nice long poll with analysis. The take-away? "The Republican Party’s image has grown more negative over the first half of this year." Now the Democratic Party isn't faring that much better, but the dip in the "approval" ratings the GOP has have gone down significantly. Even among Republicans. What this shows is people like the GOP when they're running for office, but not when they're actually governing. Also it could be the effect of the candidates getting their dog-whistling in early so they can use the "that's old news" defense when called on it later. (Grokked from Dan)
Okay, when William Shatner is calling you silly, that's Game Over™.
Maybe we weren't responsible for megafauna extinctions. But, maybe we were indirectly responsible. It's a little bit of "looking of The reason." It's sort of like the extinction of the dinosaurs. They were already dying out (reduced diversity and reduced numbers) as we approached the time when the asteroid hit. It doesn't mean the asteroid didn't slam the lid shut on their coffin (which it didn't really do after all, notice all the avians around us). (Grokked from Neil Gaiman)
Oh look, the bees are back. Note they're talking the number of colonies, and not the number of actual bees. (Grokked from Dan)
For your bemusement, warning keep tin-foil hat firmly on before clicking. Just one week after our breaking news article possibly tying in the 9-11 supertramp cover image with Biblical prophecies from Revelation 17-18 and Jeremiah 50-51. We have found even more “coincidences” which bring this subject matter to the realm of padded room material!" (Grokked from John)
"Simply signing a document isn't enough, however. There's no substitute for regular communication with friends and family about end-of-life preferences." That.
"Senate GOP leadership is moving toward a vote on a bill that would cease federal funding to Planned Parenthood due to concerns about the reproductive health provider raised by heavily-edited videos recently posted online by an anti-abortion group." It's almost like that was the plan.
Why, they were right. When they outlaw guns only outlaws will have guns. Supposedly law abiding citizens decide not to follow the laws.
Donald Trump may be using illegal immigrants as laborers to build his grave site. Most people are keying in on the "illegal immigrant" part. For me its, "He's building a gravesite on his golf course? Who died and made him Pharaoh?"
And now, at about a 15 months out from the next presidential election (don't let them fool you, there's an election this November as well), where do the parties stand in the popular mind? Well, the Pew Center has a nice long poll with analysis. The take-away? "The Republican Party’s image has grown more negative over the first half of this year." Now the Democratic Party isn't faring that much better, but the dip in the "approval" ratings the GOP has have gone down significantly. Even among Republicans. What this shows is people like the GOP when they're running for office, but not when they're actually governing. Also it could be the effect of the candidates getting their dog-whistling in early so they can use the "that's old news" defense when called on it later. (Grokked from Dan)
Okay, when William Shatner is calling you silly, that's Game Over™.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Linkee-poo look at me, I'm on the way to the promised land
Sorry, so tired I forgot to format the links.
Explaining graphic design to four-year olds. I wish the people I work with would get this. (Grokked from Xeni)
"Unlike any other living thing on Earth, electric bacteria use energy in its purest form – naked electricity in the shape of electrons harvested from rocks and metals." The world is stranger than we think. (Grokked from Karl Schroeder)
If you've ever had an eye test, or some kind of neural damage, you've experienced a doctor giving you what seems like a random movement test. Follow the finger without moving your head, putting their hands over yours and telling you to lift as hard as you can, those sorts of things. What they're testing are your cranial nerves (these don't go through your spinal column). There are 3 that affect eye movement all by themselves (each will move your eyes in a different direction). So, I understand just what they're testing here with hearing and literacy in toddlers, but I'm not entirely convinced of it's efficacy. It's interesting science, but the brain is very plastic, and I'm afraid this test will be used to shunt kids into categories they don't belong in. On the other hand, a lot of kids might (might) get some help at a crucial stage. On the third hand, that'll mostly be rich kids with educated parents.
Snotbot. Because SCIENCE! (Grokked from John)
Some companies are moving away from the annual performance review. They point out a lot of reasons why reviews suck (time, brainspace, and results wise). "'Employees that do best in performance management systems tend to be the employees that are the most narcissistic and self-promoting,' said Brian Kropp, the HR practice leader for CEB." you say that like it's a bad thing. Dude, seriously, have you met any MBAs? Guess who made this crap up? Full disclosure, just got the email about Annual Review Time. It's that time of year where we realize that we spend too much time on bullshit, and we never got to our personal goals because we were too busy doing the actual fucking work we were hired to do. Also, we just moved to one of those "forced curves" evaluation. "Shocked," our CEO said, "shocked to find our employees are weighted heavily into the 4 and 5 space…" so we now have an enforced Bell Curve. Guess what happened to productivity and moral as all our high-performers realized they wouldn't be recognized for their high performance, but forced onto an artificial curve. But most people don't remember why annual reviews came into being. Unfortunately it didn't solve the real problem, which was people being dicks (mostly in middle-management). (Grokked from someone, Morgan J Locke I think)
Nearly no consequences for drunk executives who poured beer on Native American children’s heads. Noted as comment to above, and again just where the PC police (in reference to below)? Also noted in the vein of, "maybe if it's not blacks people can see the racism built into the system." (Grokked from Saladin Ahmed)
When he's a commie fighting rebel, or even a former Hitler Youth it's all fun and games and the conservatives love the Pope. However, when it's a poor brown kid from South America everybody gets huffy.
"New documents obtained by NPR and ProPublica reveal that the Red Cross may not have an accurate accounting of how all the money was spent." 9/11 and now Haiti. The Red Cross has got some 'splainin to do. Once that hits the public zeitgeist, we may not see a very able or well funded Red Cross in the US.
"Armed civilians are standing guard outside military recruitment centers across the United States -- even if the military doesn't necessarily want them there -- in the wake of last week's killing of five service members in Chattanooga, Tennessee." What could possibly go wrong.
You know how the conservative blowhards at Fox News like to talk about how their speech is stifled by the Political Correctness Police? That's all well and good, until they want to enforce their own PC policing. Donald Trump is an ass (actually, he's representative of a lot of business execs and their mindset), and he's been giving a hellalotta hints to walk back his comments about McCain, but Donald is Donald. Bill O'Reilly trying to play the PC police is just hilarious.
I wonder if conservatives will now rethink their stance on "at-will" employment? Yea, probably not. They'll double down on the PC police line and play the victim. All the company will need to do is document they asked the employees not to fly the Stars and Bars to work, and point to their anti-discrimination and diversity policies. Although, it's kinda iffy with the rulings of where and when employees can have guns in their cars and whether the judge rules that the cars are inviolate property, or because they're on company property that the company's rules apply.
Explaining graphic design to four-year olds. I wish the people I work with would get this. (Grokked from Xeni)
"Unlike any other living thing on Earth, electric bacteria use energy in its purest form – naked electricity in the shape of electrons harvested from rocks and metals." The world is stranger than we think. (Grokked from Karl Schroeder)
If you've ever had an eye test, or some kind of neural damage, you've experienced a doctor giving you what seems like a random movement test. Follow the finger without moving your head, putting their hands over yours and telling you to lift as hard as you can, those sorts of things. What they're testing are your cranial nerves (these don't go through your spinal column). There are 3 that affect eye movement all by themselves (each will move your eyes in a different direction). So, I understand just what they're testing here with hearing and literacy in toddlers, but I'm not entirely convinced of it's efficacy. It's interesting science, but the brain is very plastic, and I'm afraid this test will be used to shunt kids into categories they don't belong in. On the other hand, a lot of kids might (might) get some help at a crucial stage. On the third hand, that'll mostly be rich kids with educated parents.
Snotbot. Because SCIENCE! (Grokked from John)
Some companies are moving away from the annual performance review. They point out a lot of reasons why reviews suck (time, brainspace, and results wise). "'Employees that do best in performance management systems tend to be the employees that are the most narcissistic and self-promoting,' said Brian Kropp, the HR practice leader for CEB." you say that like it's a bad thing. Dude, seriously, have you met any MBAs? Guess who made this crap up? Full disclosure, just got the email about Annual Review Time. It's that time of year where we realize that we spend too much time on bullshit, and we never got to our personal goals because we were too busy doing the actual fucking work we were hired to do. Also, we just moved to one of those "forced curves" evaluation. "Shocked," our CEO said, "shocked to find our employees are weighted heavily into the 4 and 5 space…" so we now have an enforced Bell Curve. Guess what happened to productivity and moral as all our high-performers realized they wouldn't be recognized for their high performance, but forced onto an artificial curve. But most people don't remember why annual reviews came into being. Unfortunately it didn't solve the real problem, which was people being dicks (mostly in middle-management). (Grokked from someone, Morgan J Locke I think)
Nearly no consequences for drunk executives who poured beer on Native American children’s heads. Noted as comment to above, and again just where the PC police (in reference to below)? Also noted in the vein of, "maybe if it's not blacks people can see the racism built into the system." (Grokked from Saladin Ahmed)
When he's a commie fighting rebel, or even a former Hitler Youth it's all fun and games and the conservatives love the Pope. However, when it's a poor brown kid from South America everybody gets huffy.
"New documents obtained by NPR and ProPublica reveal that the Red Cross may not have an accurate accounting of how all the money was spent." 9/11 and now Haiti. The Red Cross has got some 'splainin to do. Once that hits the public zeitgeist, we may not see a very able or well funded Red Cross in the US.
"Armed civilians are standing guard outside military recruitment centers across the United States -- even if the military doesn't necessarily want them there -- in the wake of last week's killing of five service members in Chattanooga, Tennessee." What could possibly go wrong.
You know how the conservative blowhards at Fox News like to talk about how their speech is stifled by the Political Correctness Police? That's all well and good, until they want to enforce their own PC policing. Donald Trump is an ass (actually, he's representative of a lot of business execs and their mindset), and he's been giving a hellalotta hints to walk back his comments about McCain, but Donald is Donald. Bill O'Reilly trying to play the PC police is just hilarious.
I wonder if conservatives will now rethink their stance on "at-will" employment? Yea, probably not. They'll double down on the PC police line and play the victim. All the company will need to do is document they asked the employees not to fly the Stars and Bars to work, and point to their anti-discrimination and diversity policies. Although, it's kinda iffy with the rulings of where and when employees can have guns in their cars and whether the judge rules that the cars are inviolate property, or because they're on company property that the company's rules apply.
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